Biratori (平取町, Biratori-chō) (Ainu: ピラ・ウトゥル, translit. pira-utur[1]) is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The name of the town means 'between the rocky cliffs' in the Ainu language.[2]
As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 5,305 and a density of 7.1 persons per km². The total area is 743.16 km².
The Nibutani Dam was constructed in Nibutani (二風谷) district on the Saru River, though there was a strong objection due to a sacred meaning of the place for indigenous Ainu people. Nibutani is the site of the Ainu Cultural center. Nibutani's best known son is perhaps Shigeru Kayano, a 20th century advocate for the Ainu and Ainu language and culture. The Cultural Landscape along the Saru River resulting from Ainu Tradition and Modern Settlement within Biratori has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape.[3]
Biratori is primarily an agricultural town, growing many different kinds of fruits and vegetables for people and livestock. Tomatoes are one of the top products of the town. It was also known for its lumber industry.
Other places of note in Biratori:
- Biratori Onsen Yukara
- Family Land
- Suzuran Field in Memu, where Lily of the Valley (also known as Maybells) bloom from May to June. The field covers 15 hectares and is the largest in Japan. It opened to the public in 1963, but had to be closed in 1975 due to damage from overpicking and trampling. It was able to open again ten years later..
- The UFO park (Set up as a UFO observation platform, it was later closed in the 1970s-1980s.)
